I'm not an ortho nurse, but I am a surgical nurse. My mother in law had a spinal fusion last July and she was up walking around in 3-4 days. She used a walker for a few weeks and a cane for a couple months, and she had to wear a back brace for several hours a day, but she certainly wasn't on bedrest for 3 months!

May 26, '09

would seem unlikely, unless they shattered their spine, say an auto accident or bad fall....
i would have to see the docs orders to believe it.

May 26, '09

I cant remember if she had a laminectomy or spinal fusion...

May 26, '09

I could see 3 months of bedrest if the patient had complications and more complications that led to a prolonged ICU stay with sepsis and ARDS.

May 26, '09

Most (repeat: MOST) back surgery post-ops are on bedrest for maybe 48 hours.

May 26, '09

This would be so called bed rest at home... with no physical therapy... 3 MONTHS?!

May 26, '09

Unlikely these days. As for the sepsis w/ARDS that isn't exactly bedrest if you are lying in an ICU w/ tubes up the ying yang -- they'd be unconscious. I know I am splitting hairs.

May 26, '09

Never seen it.

May 26, '09

I actually wish I had not posted. On reflection it seems you have some angle. This is a question for the healthcare team of the patient. Even if you provide more "details" it is not for us to second guess.

I think you are second guessing something someone claims to have been told post-surgery. If that is so, and you came here for ammunition to contest that, you are really in the wrong place.

Sorry.

Last edit by 2BSure on May 26, '09
: Reason: punctuation

May 26, '09

Just to address the PT yes they aren't suppose to have it for at least three months because that's how long it takes the fusion to heal enough to not wear the brace. It would be the same for a lami but usually no brace.

I actually wish I had not posted. On reflection it seems you have some angle. This is a question for the healthcare team of the patient. Even if you provide more "details" it is not for us to second guess.

I think you are second guessing something someone claims to have been told post-surgery. If that is so, and you came here for ammunition to contest that, you are really in the wrong place.

Sorry.

No I am not trying to tell the patient to go against orders or question medical orders. I think that the person is feeding someone I care about a line of BS so they can continue to take advantage of a situation and the persons kindness. So maybe you can understand my position. I am not an idiot when it comes to med/surge nor do I claim to know everything, so I was hoping for some education. If you don't want to help me understand this, I will respect that.

May 26, '09

Providing there were no complications with the surgery the patient would be up and in a chair the day after surgery on my unit even if it was a laminectomy with a fusion. PT will not begin or resume until at least 3 months however the patient is usually mobile. Driving will be limited for at least 3 weeks post-op as will heavy lifting, torso twisting, etc.

3 months of bedrest could lead to further complications such as DVT and pneumonia. I can't imagine this being ordered unless there is a specific underlying condition you have not mentioned.